Helpful Household Uses for Baking Soda

If anyone were to ask me what my secret weapon is for cleaning my home effectively but without toxic ingredients I would have to go with baking soda. I would also likely mention some other things too like vinegar, essential oils, etc. but baking soda is the big daddy. I use it in so many places around the house I think I have lost count but here are a few of my favorite ways you can use baking soda around the house. For cleaning and beyond…

Carpet Deodorizer – I hate having carpet but we rent and can’t do much about it so to make it tolerable we shampoo the carpets often and use scented baking soda to sprinkle on the carpets to help keep them fresh smelling.

Scented Scrubs – Mix some baking soda with your favorite essential oils and a bit of water to form a paste. Then scrub your sinks, tubs, toilets, cutting boards, counter tops, oven hoods, and any other surface that builds up on grime, grease, soap scum, or dirt.

Underarm Deodorant – Use a natural sponge or makeup “puff” to sprinkle some of the powder under your arms. Cheap and effective!

Homemade Toothpaste – When you run out of your favorite brand of toothpaste or decide that it just isn’t worth spending money on you can always make your own using baking soda as a main ingredient.

Fruit and Veggie Wash – Sprinkle onto hard fruits and veggies and rub vigorously with moist hands to clean them thoroughly. You can also use a spray bottle with baking soda dissolved inside to wash greens.

Insect Bites – Stop itching by mixing it with water  and making a paste. Apply a small amount to the wound and allow to dry.

Cleaning Walls – Walls collect fingerprints and grime and if you live in my house…they also collect crayon drawings and food finger paintings. Mix some in water with a bit of castile soap and wash with a rag. Use a paste thick for especially difficult areas.

Freshen Stinky Shoes – For any kids and/or athletes in the house it is always handy to keep some around to sprinkle in athletic shoes. It helps with odor and requires you to have to wash shoes less often.

Skin Ailments – Add to bathwater to help soothe sunburn, poison ivy rashes, skin allergies, and eczema.

Fires – Put out small fires around the house…like when you accidentally ignite a grease fire on your stove top.

Clean Outdoor Grills – Sprinkle on, use a grill brush to scrub, and then rinse with water.

DIY Shampoo – Make a paste with baking soda and water and use instead of shampoo. This is a “no poo” method.

Laundry Booster – Add a tablespoon or two to the laundry to boost the cleaning action. Works great on towels and sheets!

Facial Cleanser – Gentle enough to use on your face as a scrub.

Burned Pots/Pans – Don’t want to scrub? Add 2-3 inches of water (enough to cover the bottom and then some) add some baking soda, and boil. Easy peasy.

Cleaning Hair Brushes and Combs – I am a comb girl but my daughter loves hair brushes. Either way they need to be cleaned every now again. Just soak for 5-10 minutes in hot water with a tablespoon of baking soda.

Oven Cleaning – Sprinkle on the bottom of your oven and add enough water to moisten it thoroughly. Leave overnight and then use a sponge/rag to wipe up the following day.

Household Smells – Add baking soda to the bottom of your garbage cans, sprinkle in the diaper pail, and put a small box in the fridge.